Sometimes I fear that I come off as being pretentious. Back when I was in highschool, I thought that “pretentious” was the worse thing you could call a person. I took pride in the fact that my friends and I chose to be ourselves, in direct contrast with the jocks, preps, and wanna-be thugs. We - we were different and genuine. I wonder what my 16 year old self would say about me today…
When I write for this blog, I have this habit of slipping into this voice that seeks to use large words and prove his own intelligence. Its very me, but it is the left-brain me. The words that I use seem solely for the purpose of satisfying my egotistical need to reaffirm my own brilliance. I believe I am smart, but I am far from a genius. The right-brain me doesn’t come out to play here on this blog as much as I’d like.
Did you know I like web comics? I read them most every day. Currently, my favorite web comic is Flipside. It is a story about Maytag, a nymphomaniac female jester, and her struggle to stay true to the love of her life, a sword welding warrior by the name Bernadette. I also enjoy Misfile and Khaos Komix. It is kind of funny how all three of these comics feature homosexual romantic relationships… and no, I didn’t plan it that way.
Getting a little off track, here; my point is that I wonder if I couldn’t be more like my whole self and a little less… pretentious. God how that word stings. I want to feel more connected and invested in this little venture of mine. Yes, I want to think of myself as a good writer and a smart person, but I need to remind myself that I don’t need to be a great writer or a brilliant person to be a great blogger.
Image by Mike Kline.
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August 26th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I think this is a great start at not being pretentious (which is good training for ministry I should think).
Always using the shorter word where it will do is a good discipline for me. (Though I still hate to write the word “thing” - my primary school teachers come back to haunt me when I go to write this word.)
September 5th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
The key is to write for your enjoyment and trust that others will enjoy it or not. Let go of your ego and be yourself.
Most of what I write is a first draft, the only thing I change is spelling errors.
October 12th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Hello Evan,
Are you trying to say I’m pretentious?! HOW DARE YOU?
… er, um, I’m kidding.
I think a lot of my problem is slipping into the belief that I have all the answers. If I truly had all the answers, I wouldn’t be just some schmo writing a blog. I wouldn’t be talking about being a minister, I would already be one.
I do love me some big words though, don’t I? What’s funny, though, is that my wife has a larger vocabulary than I do and tends to write in simpler language. Her blog tends to be more readable than my own… Ah well.
Namaste.
October 12th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Hello Mark,
I have this habit of editing while I’m writing; most people can write 1000 words in the time that it takes me to write 500. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to voicing my opinion - which is why I’m so quiet in person.
You do realize that it’s a contradiction to tell me to let go of my ego and be myself, don’t you?
Namaste.